SAO PAULO - Wednesday, April 3rd
2013 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE/ME
NewsWire)-- The man who put South Africa on the golfing map landed in São Paulo
today (Tuesday 2 April) on a mission to do the same for the sport in Brazil.
As part of its sponsorship of this
week’s Brasil Classic tournament (April 4-7), global golf sponsor HSBC has
flown in international golf legend Gary Player to help three of the country’s
best young players prepare for the event with a 48 hour masterclass in golfing
excellence.
As the countdown continues to golf’s
return to the Olympic Games at Rio 2016, the nine-time Major winner gave
Rio-born Cristian Barcelos, 18, Curitiba-born Daniel Stapff, 22, and Rafael
Becker, from São Paulo, a putting lesson on the roof of one of the city’s
tallest buildings, Centenario Plaza. For Becker, it’s the perfect birthday
present – he turns 22 today.
The three players, who are all
taking part in the US $675,000 Brasil Classic presented by HSBC, will spend two
days under the wing of the golf icon as part of a comprehensive masterclass
covering everything from mental preparation to diet and fitness plus all
aspects of the game from tee to green.
South African Player said: “This
could be the moment for Brazil and if my visit can inspire the next generation
of talent that really would be fantastic.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that golf
will be included in the Olympics once again. The exposure will be a great catalyst
for development in new, emerging markets and the growth in Brazil and Latin
America will be tremendous. One thing I’ve learnt in my career is that change
is the price of survival.”
Giles Morgan, HSBC Global Head of
Sponsorship & Events, added: “As a global banking and financial services
organisation, we pride ourselves on opening up a world of opportunities for
people and we want to help Brazil maximize the Olympic opportunity – this is
why we have sponsored this groundbreaking new event and why we have flown one
of the best golfer’s in history to São Paulo this week.
“We hope these three young players
can go on to great things for Brazil and it would be incredible to see them
making an impact at Rio 2016.”
ends
Contacts
HSBC Golf Press Office
Steve Bradley
07771 776568
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